Derby County versus Reading at the Madejski Stadium. Frank Lampard in his first competitive game as Rams manager up against a former Derby boss in Paul Clement - the opening fixture has intrigue and a sprinkling of spice.

The two know each other well having worked together at Chelsea where Clement was assistant to Carlo Ancelotti.

It is a shame the match is on a Friday night for TV purposes as this does not help Derby fans who have to travel, but we are getting used to that as last season's opener was at Sunderland on a Friday.

There was always going to be TV interest in Lampard, and his appointment appears to have given everybody a lift after Derby lost in the Championship play-offs last season.

All eyes will be on him in what is his first management role following a hugely successful playing career. How will he fare, what will his team look like and how will it line up?

Derby County 2018-19 Championship fixtures

Facing Reading means Clement will be up against Derby for the first time since he was sacked by them in February 2016 with the team sat fifth in the Championship.

Reading struggled last season but Clement, appointed in March, kept them up and they will be keen to improve on 20th.

Derby travel to face Millwall in their second away league game.

Taking on the Lions at The Den is always a testing assignment and Millwall enjoyed a strong season last season under Neil Harris when they finished eighth, and only three points adrift of the play-off places.

Sandwiched between the two away fixtures is Lampard's first home game against Leeds United, who also have a new manager in former Argentina coach Marcelo Bielsa.

On paper it is a testing trio of early fixtures, but this is the Championship and all games look tough, and often prove to be just that.

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There is a batch of five matches in late February and into March that might cause a sharp intake of breath - Nottingham Forest (a), Aston Villa (a), Sheffield Wednesday (h), Stoke City (h) and Swansea City (a).

Derby's struggles in the February-March period in recent seasons have been well-documented and dissected, but hopefully that will not be needed this coming season.

Having said that, a programme of four games in October last season at home to Forest and Wednesday, and away at Norwich and Leeds, looked daunting and yet Derby won all four to install themselves as promotion candidates. The division is noted for its unpredictable nature, and that is likely to continue.

Gary Rowett (Stoke City) and Steve McClaren (Queens Park Rangers) are also former Derby managers in charge at Championship clubs.

New Derby County boss Frank Lampard (Image: Alex Cantrill-Jones)

Rowett's decision to leave Derby last month and become Stoke boss has added spice to the two games against the Potters. Rowett was in charge at Pride Park for only 14 months and guided Rams to the play offs last season where they lost to Fulham.

McClaren had two spells in the Derby hot seat. He lead Rams to the 2014 play-off final but was sacked in May 2015. His second stint lasted only five months before he was sacked for a second time. I am sure he will relish the two tests against Derby.

Another Derby connection is former defender Darren Moore, who is manager at West Bromwich Albion.

Derby's final fixture of the league campaign is at home to West Brom, but there is much football to be played before then.